The PCAM Podcast

This week, PCAM Committee member Tony Satchell takes you through the so-called “Pink Form”. Available from the PCAM website, the Pink Form is an industry-approved contract that gives you the assurance that the agreement you and your client are entering into adheres to expected industry practices and doesn’t involve any nasty surprises!

How do you cut through the noise of so many people and succeed? This week members of the PCAM Committee talk about how people can begin their path into industry and some of the pitfalls they may encounter at the start of their career.

On this week's podcast we ask, how has technology changed over the last few decades? What gear do you need to get started? What software do PCAM Committee members tend to use? What do people think advertising music sounds like? We also discuss the best way to achieve unique sounds and the advantages of live instruments over sample libraries.

This week we delve into the misconception that infringement of copyright is usually a black-and-white affair. We discuss what a musicologist does and when you need to use one. Also, what constitutes a sound-alike? And how can you navigate a situation away from a sound-alike towards something more original?

What are the best ways to make sure you get your money in good time? Chasing payments can be the bane of a composer’s administrative duties, so we look into the most effective ways of making sure you track down the money you’re owed, ranging from gentle measures to more extreme action.

What is a royalty and how is it generated? What’s the difference between a sampled channel and a non-sampled one? Why do you need a clock number and how can this help to chase down your royalties? What could the future hold for royalties and managing micro payments automatically? What about royalties in other territories apart from the UK? We look into a rather complicated topic which forms an important income stream for composers.

How can you recognise a good/bad brief? How often do clients really know what they want, and does the final product always match the brief? How can you best speak to clients about music? In this podcast PCAM Committee members investigate the art of briefing in the industry today.

Why should you always ask for a demo fee? What’s the effect on the industry if you continue to not ask for them? How do you convince a client you need one? PCAM Committee members discuss all these questions and more!

This podcast takes a look at why PCAM was first formed, what it exists to do and the role it plays in the industry today.